Sonia, Rahul to commence 2-day visit to flood-hit J&K today

Jammu, Sep 28: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi will reach out to people in the flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir during their two-day visit starting on Monday.

"Sonia and Rahul are visiting J&K on a two days visit from tomorrow to meet the flood victims and assess damages caused to public property and infrastructure in worst-ever floods in the state, which has taken a toll on nearly 300 lives," a senior party official said.

They will be flanked by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC (I) General Secretary, In-charge Jammu and Kashmir, Ambika Soni and PCC (I) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz during their visit.

When asked about the programme, Azad told PTI they are coming on two-days visit to J&K from Monday and their programme is being finalised.

Sonia and Rahul are expected to reach Srinagar tomorrow morning and will visit flood hit areas in Srinagar and South Kashmir in the Valley, besides some relief and rehabilitation camps and interact with flood victims and assess damage caused to houses, commercial establishments and Government infrastructure in the floods.

They will also be briefed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand during a meeting in Srinagar. On September 30, the Gandhis are expected to fly to Poonch border district to meet the affected persons and hold a meeting in Jammu of party functionaries including Ministers.